ARLC Origin switch order gives Blues home advantage

Sports Reporter

Minor victory ... the NSW Blues are set to be awarded two home matches next year. Photo: Getty Images

ANZ STADIUM will host two State of Origin matches next season after a decision to reverse the order and switch a game from Brisbane to Sydney.

The ARL Commission (ARLC) announced a five-year schedule for State of Origin on Tuesday.

Queensland were originally slated for two home games next year, but that decision has been reversed, with the Maroons to host two matches at Suncorp Stadium in 2014 and 2017.

NSW will will also get two home encounters in 2016 with a neutral venue to be used for one fixture in 2015.

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Discussions are taking place with the Victorian Major Events Company about Melbourne hosting the match. The schedule ensures that from 2010-2017, each state will have hosted one ’two-game-series’ in every three years.

‘‘The five-year schedule provides certainty for fans in each state while recognising the value of Origin on the Australian sporting calendar,’’ ARLC interim chief executive Shane Mattiske said on Tuesday.

‘‘It is a schedule that puts an end to one state surrendering a game at the expense of another when matches are played at a neutral venue and allows for a clear cycle of events.

‘‘This has been a thorough process that has involved extensive negotiation and I would like to thank the NSW, Queensland and Victorian governments for the way in which those negotiations have taken place.

‘‘Both the NSW and Queensland governments have backed the schedule and each has expressed a strong commitment to supporting rugby league."

The move follows a concerted campaign by the Blues to switch the order of matches after the opening game of this year's series was shifted from Sydney to Melbourne.

If the change had not occurred, NSW would have had to wait until 2014 to play two home games - four years after they last enjoyed such an advantage.

The news was welcomed by new Blues coach Laurie Daley and his players, who are attempting to prevent Queensland from winning an eighth consecutive series.

After the success of last year's match in Melbourne and record television ratings for the other two Origins and the NRL grand final, the Victorian Events Corporation offered $12.5 million to secure one game per series for the next five years.

The other main item on the agenda at Tuesday's monthly meeting of the eight commissioners is whether to ban the contentious shoulder charge.

The ARLC ordered a crackdown by the match review committee and judiciary panel on shoulder charges that connected with an opposing players head late last season and opinion is divided over whether they should outlaw the tactic altogether.

Origin eligibility is also on the agenda but no decision is expected to be made until the next meeting on December 18.

However, Fairfax Media understands that players will be deemed to be ineligible to play for either NSW or Queensland if they had not resided continuously in that state since the age of 13.

Players will still be eligible for Australia if they comply with international eligibility rules but the move is expected to discourage players such as James Tamou and Sam Kasiano choosing the country over their native New Zealand for the chance to play Origin.

Canberra's Josh Papalii may still be eligible for the Maroons as he moved to Australia when he was six years old.

Fairfax Media has also been told that there will be no announcement on Tuesday of a new chief executive to run the game or the appointment of the Australian coach for next year's World Cup.

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens is almost certain to retain the role but there has been speculation that he may be offered the job full-time given the extra commitments in a World Cup year. However, there are also concerns that the job description would only be expanded because Sheens is available after being sacked as Wests Tigers coach.

Sheens has been offered another role by the Tigers but it is widely assumed that he will not accept and wants a full pay out of the remaining two years of his contract, worth $450,000 per season.

- with AAP

64 comments so far

If you can't beat them Cheat or change the rules. Typical Blues. NRL really does still mean New South Wales Rugby League.

Commenter

Neslom

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 8:28AM

Only from a Queenslander, only from a Queenslander

Commenter

RTP

Location

Sawtell

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 9:08AM

Neslom, let's not forget how you got the advantage last year.

Change the rules? Cheat? Don't make me remind you about half of your teams origins.

QLDrs so often ride the wave that everyone is against them, however when something falls in the favour, it's quieter than a church north of the border. I'm not saying this is right, or wrong, i'm just tired of QLDrs having a very very skewed vision of SOO.

Commenter

chris

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 9:23AM

@Neslom: Perhaps we should put a tax on the rest of the country to help you get over your flood of tears mate? Oh, we already did that.

Never mind, perhaps NSW will give you a couple of their world-class players to make up for it? Oh, already did that too.

Whinging Queenlanders, oh so entertaining.

Commenter

Thatcher

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 10:10AM

The games are in Sydney - that's in Queensland

Commenter

Treiziste

Location

Sdydney

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 12:36PM

So the rules say Qld have a right to host 3 deciders in a row do they Neslom? Even when they were the last to get 2 home games? Even when a Melbourne game is the home game QLD get when theyre not playing at home.... a bit like the qld player who aint from qld... QLD. The Claytons team.

Commenter

cl

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 2:32PM

In the scheme of life and death this is a nothing. In the scheme of sport then this is as good as cheating. NSW would bleat blue murder if this was pulled on them.

Boo hoo to NSW anyway if it has to wait four years. It could have had it last year but chose the dollars instead of the advantage. If NSW won last year this betrayal to loyal Qld fans will not be happening but it is and it is what it is.

There is an ironic dread NSW will have to deal with...and that's the mental. Two home games in the minds of NSW, the pressure to win because of those games and the pressure to not lose an eight straight series. This pressure on NSW that will be up against a state spitting venom from north to south....and that venom will be channeled through the entire Qld playing group.

Two retiring RL legends may have pushed the last two Qld teams that little bit harder over the last two seasons. Now the Qld squad of 2013 has another reason to pull out that Qld passion. This time for every Qld citizen.

So be it. By Origin time the entire sporting country will know what's taken place and this sort of thing never goes down well.

Bring it on because cheaters never prosper. Ask Lance.

Commenter

Mark Bolt

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 8:52AM

NSW did have a game pulled on them this year - it was played in Melbourne. The fact is the QRL has never given up their home ground advantage, where as NSWRL have done it at least once every 5 years in the last 15 years. This is because NSWRL took responsibility for the overall growth of the game, understanding how important SOO is to that growth, whereas QLD just used it as an opportunity to feather their own nest.

Now the commission is impartial and they make a balanced decision and the QLD'ers cant handle it.

Commenter

ew75

Location

Sydney

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 10:27AM

Perhaps you might want to get your facts straight. NSW have never given up home ground advantage. They have sold it for a very lucrative amount, where as QLD has decided to reward its home fans by staying at Suncorp and letting them come.

But I guess that is what happens with you can't sell out your stadium for home games...

Sorry but this is rubbish, NSW have never been forced to give up home ground advantage, they have chosen to sell one of their games to Melbourne. A big difference.

Commenter

MM

Location

Canberra

Date and time

November 20, 2012, 11:11AM

Whats the whinge about? Didnt qld get the decider last season? And the season before that? Isnt it fair if Qld dont get 3 deciders in a row? Which state was the last one to get 2 home games in a series? And add to that a Melbourne game is virtually a qld home game anyway. We all know qlders are dumb but you'd think they could get basic maths right, but no they just love to squeal when the deck isnt stacked against nsw, even after 7 wins in a row.... good god.